Fire forces Edwards jet to return

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The charter airplane carrying John Edwards, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, made an unscheduled return to Raleigh-Durham International Airport minutes after takeoff last night following a brief fire in the aft section of the aircraft.

The Boeing 727, operated by Champion Airlines of Minneapolis, turned around and landed at the airport about 15 minutes after a battery pack on sound equipment used by an ABC News crew exploded, spewing flames and smoke. The pack, which a sound technician had been holding as he swapped out 9-volt batteries, landed on a seat, slightly burning a cushion. The surrounding area filled briefly with acrid smoke. Edwards, who was riding in the front of the plane, was not affected.

Secret Service agents assigned to protect the candidate and his wife, who was traveling on the plane with the couple's children, Jack and Emma Claire, vaulted over seats to snuff out the flames.

Amid the clamor, a passenger yelled "Fire," prompting the captain to declare an emergency to air traffic controllers and ask for an immediate return.

No one was injured, but the plane was inspected before it was allowed to continue to its scheduled destination, Williamstown, W.Va., as Edwards and his entourage traveled to Marietta, Ohio.

Glen Johnson